Grapple



J. YETT GRAPBLE Oct. 21, 1947.

Filed Jan.'28,' 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. gc/iizes JGZZZ Eff n iiiilflkrkz v A'FI'IJRNEYS J. YETT Oct. 21, 1947.

GRAPPLE Fil ed Jan. 28, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTU R N EYS INVENTOR c/rrzes fiif,

I MQ Patented Oct. 21, 1947 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE GRAPPLE James Yett, Artemus, Ky.

Application January 28, 1946, Serial No. 643,845

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved grapple to be used in removing articles from wells, pipe lines or any place that is inaccessible due to the size of the cavity or depth thereof.

An object of the invention is to provide a device that is simple, comprising a very few parts and easily operated, to grasp the desired article.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that is durable and can be inexpensively manufactured and retailed at a reasonable cost.

With the above and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists of the novel details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts more fully hereinafter described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a side view of an embodiment of the invention in position for grasping an article;

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the device;

Figure 3 is a side view of the device in collapsed condition;

Figure 4 is a side view of the device in grappling position;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the latching means for the device;

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the latching means and the operator for unlatching said means;

Figure 8 is a sectional View on the line 8-8 of Figure 5;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary View of the operator for the latchin means;

Figure 10 is a perspective view, partly in section, of the lower end of the grapple;

Figure 11 is a perspective View, partly broken away, of one form of the toothed portion of the grapple, and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of another form of an article engaging portion.

Referring more in detail to the drawing, the reference numeral l9 designates the grapple which comprises substantially U-shaped body l2, having inwardly curved apertured ends I4 to which are removably secured by means of fasteners Hi the apertured end I 7 of the toothed article graspers or catchers 48. The body I2 is made of spring metal which urges the ends 14 thereof into the position shown in Figure 3. The base end 20 of the body I2 is apertured at 22 to slidably receive the control rod 24, having an eye 25 formed on one end thereof for connection with a cable 28 and adjacent this end, the rod 24 is provided with a transverse stop pin 30 which abutting the outer face of the base end 29 of the body 12, limits the downward movement of the rod 24. Spaced from the pin 30 and positioned inwardly of the bod I2 is a second stop pin 32 which abutting the inner face of the base end 20, limits the upward movement of the rod 24 as Well as acting as means for supporting the body If! on the rod 24.

Secured to the body l2 adjacent the base end 20 in inverse relation thereto by means of fasteners 34 is the U-shaped apertured rod guide 86 Which receives and guides the movement of the rod 24.

Positioned inwardly of the body l2 intermediate the guide 36 and the apertured ends [4 is the latch 38 which comprises the hinge 49, one leaf 42 of which is welded to one of the inner sides While the other leaf 44 is welded to the leaf 46 of a second hinge 48. The leaf 56 of the hinge 48 is free and abuts the stop pin '52 in the body I2 when the latch is in operative position.

The hinges 49 and 48 so co-act as to form a substantially unitary latch which is pivoted by means of the hinge 4B, but when engaged by the lower tapered end 54 of the rod 24 will quickly collapse, as shown in Figure 4, to grasp the article 56.

In operation, the latch is positioned as shown in Figure 1, the grapple is then lowered into the cavity by means of the cable 28 and when the bottom is reached, lowering of the rod 24 will collapse the latch 38 to operate the bOdy l2, as shown in Figure 4.

In Figure 12, another form of catchers 58 is shown removably fastened to the ends l4 and it is to be understood that other forms may also be used as desired.

It is believed that the operation of the device will be apparent to those skilled in the art and that it is to be understood that various changes in the details of construction, arrangement and combination of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Havin thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a grappling device, a U-shaped body formed of spring metal normally urging the legs of the body together, said. legs havin inwardly curved portions, toothed catchers attached to the curved portions, a first hinge member having one leaf attached to a first leg of the body, a second hinge member having a leaf attached to the other the rod, a, pin on the rod to li'mitthe downward 10 movement of the rod towards the hinges, and a pin on the rod to limit the movement of the rod from the hinges.

JAMES YETT'.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 621,379 Shoffner Mar, 21, 1899 701,654 White June 3, 1902 1,257,260 Lon Feb. 19, 1918 1,359,649 Allison Nov. 23, 1920 1,668,254 Scott May 1, 1928 

